Still in the MPC 4k shadow

golfzerosafari wrote:A person's talent and style far outweighs what any MPC model could offer.

This in ways is true, and in others is not... Lets take a guitarist for instance, if they have guitar, but broken strings, how can their true talents shine... Woodwind players, if they had broken reeds, they couldnt even begin to give you a song... The same with MPC's and other equipment, if somethin is broken, and it limits a producers talents, they cant really shine if the machine has a defect in a specific area thats needed for them(yes there are work arounds, even for the musicians described above, but you wanna work with what you got instead of having to replace it).

Jauly wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:
I do agree though. Why didn't they repackage the 4k?

Because they had the bright idea of a 3500 - a lighter & tighter MPC than the 4000 tank, but with more ease of use and practical addons like hd recorder, more sliders and synth. So Numakai tried to build it on their praised, but somehow half-baked fusion and wanted to recycle it into the 3500. But as they were about to release the bride of frankenstein, they lost self confidence and market it (wrongly in my opinion) as the new "flagship" 5000.

I assume the main reason for this step was that production and developement costs probably were to high when they had to squeeze the fusion into the MPC. It's like transforming an airliner into an helicopter. For that price-jump from the 2500 (roofed by the prices of the 4000), numakai did not dare to sell it as an mpc 3500.

So the MPC 5000 has to be seen somewhere between the 2500 and the 4000, but advanced in handy points. With that view in mind, you will stop complaining and take the 5000 for what she is: A damn beautiful Vamp

New OS wanted indeed... she needs a clearer mind

Not a bad explanation

Sorry could not find that! Can you giv me the link? i would like to see that list.

I took these features from my wish list in the features thread. These are the things found on the 4k but not in the 5k as of OS 2

-Real time audition of quantize changes with sequence play from T.C. screen
-Dedicated T.C. button with LED to quickly toggle quantize on/off
-Midi phrase library.
-Midi device port and channel naming

-improve tempo detect accuracy
-Add re-sampler with quick FX to edit options to re-sample through FX
-Cross fade loop
-Auto-chromatic assignment of sample – add upper & lower note range
-Mark select for editing a group of samples for normalize, truncate, delete.

-Add Modulation Matrix
-Add most Synth, Keygroup, Sample program parameters to modulation matrix (reverse and alternating, sample start offset)
-Add a second syncable LFO to allow full compatibility w/ S5000/6000, Z8, and MPC 4K programs
-Add reverse and alternating to Play Mode
-Add sample start offset and to pad layers
-Add two MIDI channels/programs to track

Q-link sequence.

-Add ability to quick assign newly recorded sample to any program

-Purge – add purge program and purge complete memory
-Save mixer with programs and samples
-Save song + sequences + mixer
-Mark select to load/save a group of samples

24 bit 96k
512 MB memory
Slightly softer pads/ not as cheesy data wheel.
Responsive GUI

4dahaterz wrote:

golfzerosafari wrote:A person's talent and style far outweighs what any MPC model could offer.

This in ways is true, and in others is not... Lets take a guitarist for instance, if they have guitar, but broken strings, how can their true talents shine... Woodwind players, if they had broken reeds, they couldnt even begin to give you a song... The same with MPC's and other equipment, if somethin is broken, and it limits a producers talents, they cant really shine if the machine has a defect in a specific area thats needed for them(yes there are work arounds, even for the musicians described above, but you wanna work with what you got instead of having to replace it).

Jauly wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:
I do agree though. Why didn't they repackage the 4k?

Because they had the bright idea of a 3500 - a lighter & tighter MPC than the 4000 tank, but with more ease of use and practical addons like hd recorder, more sliders and synth. So Numakai tried to build it on their praised, but somehow half-baked fusion and wanted to recycle it into the 3500. But as they were about to release the bride of frankenstein, they lost self confidence and market it (wrongly in my opinion) as the new "flagship" 5000.

I assume the main reason for this step was that production and developement costs probably were to high when they had to squeeze the fusion into the MPC. It's like transforming an airliner into an helicopter. For that price-jump from the 2500 (roofed by the prices of the 4000), numakai did not dare to sell it as an mpc 3500.

So the MPC 5000 has to be seen somewhere between the 2500 and the 4000, but advanced in handy points. With that view in mind, you will stop complaining and take the 5000 for what she is: A damn beautiful Vamp

New OS wanted indeed... she needs a clearer mind

Not a bad explanation

A experienced guitar player know's at some point there strings will need to be replaced. SIMPLE as that. Dont make it overcomplicated, just say the you dont like the OS. But, I think a couple of you guys got defective units. HMMM Ebay? On another note I dont use every feature or have a workflow like some of you guys. Im sure there are bugs here and there.

golfzerosafari wrote:

A experienced guitar player know's at some point there strings will need to be replaced. SIMPLE as that. Dont make it overcomplicated, just say the you dont like the OS. But, I think a couple of you guys got defective units. HMMM Ebay? On another note I dont use every feature or have a workflow like some of you guys. Im sure there are bugs here and there.

Sorry homie, but i got access to 4 other units that all act the same way, except for the pad problem i have specifically... other then that its the OS... You made a comment, i stated an opinion. Its not that we all dont like the OS, I LIKE THEIR IDEA, BUT ID PREFER IT TO BE WORKING TO WHATS EXPECTED... Im not trippin because I understand that this isnt the same Akai and that them making a steady machine takes time... However, there is a point when you reach the top before someone says F@ck it and goes with another machine or previous one

4dahaterz wrote:

golfzerosafari wrote:

A experienced guitar player know's at some point there strings will need to be replaced. SIMPLE as that. Dont make it overcomplicated, just say the you dont like the OS. But, I think a couple of you guys got defective units. HMMM Ebay? On another note I dont use every feature or have a workflow like some of you guys. Im sure there are bugs here and there.

Sorry homie, but i got access to 4 other units that all act the same way, except for the pad problem i have specifically... other then that its the OS... You made a comment, i stated an opinion. Its not that we all dont like the OS, I LIKE THEIR IDEA, BUT ID PREFER IT TO BE WORKING TO WHATS EXPECTED... Im not trippin because I understand that this isnt the same Akai and that them making a steady machine takes time... However, there is a point when you reach the top before someone says F@ck it and goes with another machine or previous one

"OTHER THAN THAT PAD PROBLEM" its not a defective unit. HAHAHAHHA, my bad im just playin...

golfzerosafari wrote:
"OTHER THAN THAT PAD PROBLEM" its not a defective unit. HAHAHAHHA, my bad im just playin...

i guess we have a kid in the forum

You guys are still debating this? I took several months off and haven't missed a thing here.

For every MPC 4000 specific feature that the MPC 5000 lacks...there is an MPC 5K specific feature that the 4000 lacks. It will be up to the end user what he/she needs. All of this has been detailed in numerous threads....

Askia Shaheed wrote:You guys are still debating this? I took several months off and haven't missed a thing here.

For every MPC 4000 specific feature that the MPC 5000 lacks...there is an MPC 5K specific feature that the 4000 lacks. It will be up to the end user what he/she needs. All of this has been detailed in numerous threads....

you are correct...

you have been incognito... everything straight over there in Japan?

4dahaterz wrote:

golfzerosafari wrote:
"OTHER THAN THAT PAD PROBLEM" its not a defective unit. HAHAHAHHA, my bad im just playin...

i guess we have a kid in the forum

HAHAHHAHAHAHA, one more....lol ..........................oh wait I forgot this..

4dahaterz wrote:

Askia Shaheed wrote:You guys are still debating this? I took several months off and haven't missed a thing here.

For every MPC 4000 specific feature that the MPC 5000 lacks...there is an MPC 5K specific feature that the 4000 lacks. It will be up to the end user what he/she needs. All of this has been detailed in numerous threads....

you are correct...

you have been incognito... everything straight over there in Japan?

Japan is cool but I am a little depressed (off topic)...got caught speeding by one of those highway cameras...had to pay $800 and lost my license for 60 days. And since I was speeding through multiple prefectures with different jurisdictions..I have at least one more fine coming in the $500-$1000 range

Back to MPCs....

They are two different machines!

If we stick to strict hardware the mpc-4000 is the motha of them all. It waas up there competing with the mv8000 and mv8800 (which are PowerBoxes from hell).

I see the mpc-4000 as a music machine and the 5000 as a beat machine (with 8 track recorder and a (scummy) synth).

The 5000 is a 2500 on steroids

eimer wrote:They are two different machines!

If we stick to strict hardware the mpc-4000 is the motha of them all. It waas up there competing with the mv8000 and mv8800 (which are PowerBoxes from hell).

I see the mpc-4000 as a music machine and the 5000 as a beat machine (with 8 track recorder and a (scummy) synth).

The 5000 is a 2500 on steroids

So what features make the MPC 4000 a music machine and the 5000 a beat machine?

I'll chime in here. This thread seems real clear, well stated.

Due to some recent work I've been doing, I've had up-close-and-personal look at the engine capabilities of the 4k compared to the 5k. Adding a comparison of the 2000-series and the 1k/2500, it seems the 5k with the new Keygroup Program type, it's catching up to the 4k, but both machines have different mothers.

The 4k was really a derivative of the Akai S- series samples, such as the original S-1000 and finally the S-5000. The 4k uses that engine, in a drum machine manner. Companies usually try to take technologies they have at the moment, usually tied to the hardware they are procuring at the time, and use them in as many ways as they can. That's just good management.

After the shake-up at Akai in the early decade, it was like starting over. Different pieces of hardware were a mix of not-available and available. Certain engineers may not have been available anymore. As tech improved, there was always lots of good reasons to redesign. Really the product that was decided to be continued was the MPC, for good reasons. The S- technology (I'm talking hardware mostly) was deemed irrelevant (hey, a computer can do it anyway!) and ditched.

The MPC-1000 was a completely new technological unit, but just borrowed the feature design of the original MPC's. Akai has wisely capitalized on the MPC popularity, making the 2500/500 variations.

When it came time to up the ante, and I think Akai felt they needed to on the inroads the Roland MV was making, the 5k appeared. (Even though the MV has/had great features, I don't think sales-wise it has threatened the MPC.) I think there were/are two goals the 5k has - improve the workstation/all-in-one aspect of it, and add chromatic instrument features (non-drum) to it.

Akai seems to have made the same decision with the 5k that they did with the 4k, only from a different source. Alesis - their partner company - had discontinued the highly powerful Fusion, leaving lots of great technology lying around. The new Keygroup Program type is essentially the Fusion technology being fused into the MPC feature set.

And of course it wasn't just the Keygroup type that the Fusion influence, the 5k display screen itself is an offshoot of the way the Fusion looks.

I'm sure all of this has been written about here at MPC-Forums, but here is the information in the context of "feature set" and what the MPC-5000 is really capable of doing.

Keep in mind that in order to spend the massive $$$ to make a hardware unit, execs continually have to answer the question "why would anyone buy hardware when they can do it just on their computer?" That's an ENORMOUS question. If you are an industry watcher, that's the most significant consideration - perhaps the ONLY one.

In that vein, my PERSONAL opinion is that Akai does see the need to make the MPC line better then it was, but they also realize that they aren't in any hurry to give it a "software sampler" feature set in a hardware box. Put bluntly, "if you want software features, use software".

For example, the obvious feature omissions are the 2nd LFO and a mod matrix. I think Akai could have put those in no problem. The Fusion technology included UNLIMITED LFO's, and a great mod matrix. (Few people really consider how powerful the Fusion was, a computer-driven MODULAR synthesis model.) But consider that the MPC has a crowded interface as it is. Plus, again, consider - the MPC is designed for a specific reason, the person who likes hands-on usage. More features, through a narrow interface (as all hardware pieces must be), are a law of diminishing returns. You want them, but once you have the them you don't use them, because your interface works against you. So Akai is smart to not through everything in the MPC's that they could.

I really like the wish-list that was posted in this thread, I think that's right on. And I hope that these things get into the 5k. But remember the context of the 5k, why Akai sells it and what it's supposed to do.

Askia Shaheed wrote:
Japan is cool but I am a little depressed (off topic)...got caught speeding by one of those highway cameras...had to pay $800 and lost my license for 60 days. And since I was speeding through multiple prefectures with different jurisdictions..I have at least one more fine coming in the $500-$1000 range

Back to MPCs....

All i can say is D@MN!!! you could have spent that cheese on more studio equipment... goodluck over there homie...

back to the regularly scheduled program

I`m going to join the 5k family briefly for two weeks I have the good fortune to try out and test a 5k at my home studio again and do a little field work in the process. Still keeping my 4k as my main workhorse just setting aside the 3k when the 5k arrives on monday the 7/27th life is grand.
















































For free I might add.


My main concern is checking out the recording to disk, understanding the sync issues to DAWs, transferring samples and data via computer. On the real the real choice of gear is what you are most comfortable working with. I`m searching around for 88 hammer on keyboards to play with as I have gotten comfortable playing so it is time to change up everything.

Good Luck to you fellas with whatever gear you choose and keep your heads up lesson learned is never speed in Nippon.